Moisture Regulating Container

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns an innovative method for the preservation of fresh produce through the introduction of an absorbent material (4) to the interior face of a transparent, removable, hermetically sealed container lid (2). Once sealed the greenhouse effect and temperature changes within the container (1) caused by the surrounding environment and solar rays cause evaporation and condensation, which is then sequestered within the absorbent material. Moreover, the container, being hermetically sealed maintains stable humidity as the presence of the moisture captured by the absorbent material achieves equilibrium with the contents within the sealed environment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

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JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND AN INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC

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PRIOR ART

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Food packaging

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The introduction of a fixed, absorbent material to the container lid creates a mechanism to sequester excess moisture from the packaging, extending the life of the contents within.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The advantages of the present method will become clearer with the description of some of the illustrated elements that follow. The following elements may include but are not limited to the materials described therein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a ¾ view of the exploded container parts.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ¾ view of the closed container.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section of a dosed, empty container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of produce being sprayed with liquid and packed within the container.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-section of produce being hermetically sealed within the container.

FIG. 6 illustrates light and heat penetrating the container

FIG. 7 illustrates the higher temperature within the container causing evaporation, condensation rising and being sequestered in the dry absorbent material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 it is illustrated a device (1) for the preservation of produce in accordance with the present invention.

This comprises a container (5), for example an open cuboid and provided lid (2) as shown in FIG. 1 , which can be sealed hermetically and can either be detachable or attached to the substrate using perforation or other production methods.

The container and lid are comprised of a transparent or translucent material as to allow the greenhouse effect to take place within the container, encouraging evaporation of any liquid hermetically sealed within the container.

To that end, multiple different materials an be used, compatible with the containment of food such as plastic, glass or any other food-grade material that meets the aforementioned criteria.

The dimensions of the container 1 can be described below:

Although the preferred structure of the the invention describes a cuboid, it is acknowledged that the same container can be realized in different shapes including but not limited to a: cylinder, tetrahedron, parallelepiped, hexagonal prism, pentagonal prism, etc.

In all cases the closure must be such as to maintain a hermetic seal which can be broken and resealed at will.

FIG. 2 shows the device as having absorbent material affixed to the interior face of the lid. This dry absorbent material may be comprised of but not limited to: paper, cloth, foam, sponge or a combination of the listed materials.

Having described the structural elements of the invention, we move on to the specific description of such device and the method to preserve fresh produce.

During the cleaning and preparation of produce to be packaged and distributed, excess leaves, and plant material are removed and the product is sprayed with liquids including water as shown in FIG. 4 .

In FIG. 4 , prior to packing the produce is sprayed with liquid this may be,as illustrated using a spray nozzle or some other method to wash the produce. Upon completion of the washing process, the produce is packaged with some level of excess moisture remaining on the produce itself.

After the phase of packaging the produce, the hermetic closure is sealed in such a manner that previously moistened produce is contained with the excess moisture from the cleaning process, as seen in figure. In FIG. 5 the exterior conditions, including but not limited to solar heat warm the contents of the container creating a greenhouse effect. Any moisture within the container begins an evaporation and condensation process within the hermetically sealed container.

In FIG. 7 , when the condensation or vapor comes into contact with the dry absorbent material, it is sequestered within and kept from contacting the produce itself, preventing rot. The hermetic seal allows for the contents to achieve equilibrium to stabilize the humidity within the container, allowing the contents to maintain an optimal amount of moisture. 

1. A storage device, comprising of a lid with an absorbent material affixed to the lid; when sealed the absorbent material reduces the cycle of condensation within the storage device. 